Among the rows of food stalls at the West Coast Food Center – many of which have QR codes displayed on their fronts – Ms Angie Sim’s noodle stall stands out with its “Cash Only” sign.

She is part of a group of street vendors who only accept cash for purchases made at their stalls, while others have adopted cashless payment methods such as paying via a QR code on the Singapore platform Quick Response Code (SGQR).

“For me, using cash is easier and more convenient,” said the 65-year-old, who added that most of her customers are older, less tech-savvy and usually carry money. cash.

“When I see physical money, I feel happy,” said Ms Sim, who has worked at the food center with her partner for more than 20 years.

They are among stall owners at eight hawker centers in Singapore that The Straits Times spoke to who continue to resist digital payments. They cited reasons such as lack of digital literacy, poor eyesight and fear of disturbing customers when they have difficulty with the devices.

They continue to shake coins and count paper notes, even as more than 11,500 other street vendors have started using SGQR, a standardized QR code launched in 2018 to simplify electronic payments from several mobile e-wallets.

On SGQR, street sellers do not have to pay the 0.5% transaction fee for their first $20,000 in monthly transactions under the Hawkers Go Digital program, which began in 2020.

On October 10, Enterprise Singapore and the Infocomm Media Development Authority said the fee waiver would be extended until the end of 2025, as part of a plan to bring on board the 18,000 exhibitors at government-run food hubs to digital payments.

At ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre, a drinks stall owner in his 60s, who requested anonymity, said he struggled to remember how to navigate digital platforms due to his age.

“If I learn today, I will forget tomorrow,” he said, adding that he also has vision problems and it would be difficult for him to check whether payments have been made, especially to peak hours.

“If customers don’t have cash, I’ll still make them the drinks…They usually come back to pay us another time,” he said, adding that he may retire soon.

A drinks stall owner at the Albert Center Market and Food Centre, who wanted to be known only as Mr Tan, said it was “very inconvenient” to use electronic payment. “I still need to verify whether the transaction took place,” said Mr Tan, in his 60s.

A 60-year-old vegetarian food stall owner at the Alexandra Village Food Center said she fears customers will tell her payment has been made when that is not the case.

She added that most of her customers use cash and in a day only one or two customers will not buy her food because they do not have cash with them.

Mr Cornelius Tan, 38, who sells cuttlefish at the Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre, said street vendors, especially those who are older and detached from the digital world, might find it harder to break out of their comfort zone.

“They prefer to hold physical cash because they feel comfortable and secure, knowing that nothing can go wrong when the money is with them,” said Mr Tan, chairman of Chinatown Complex Hawkers ‘ Association. “It gives them a sense of security.”

Some have also been put off by latency issues where the transaction takes a while, especially during peak times, he said.

But those who have gone digital say electronic payments are convenient. Some have even reported an increase in sales, particularly among younger customers.

Ms Madeline Chen, who herself operates a braised pork stall at Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre, said digital payment reduces the hassle of handling cash, especially when she is busy. “Some of my regulars even took a photo of my SGQR and paid me before coming to get their food,” says the 46-year-old man.

Mr Lim Yaw Fook, who sells prawn noodles at Bendemeer Market and Food Centre, said sales have increased by about 20 per cent since 2020 when he started using SGQR, as more and more Younger customers began to frequent his stand.

Mr Lim, 70, said some of his Chinese customers also prefer to use SGQR, which works with Chinese apps Alipay and WeChat Pay.

Some street vendors use their personal PayNow QR code or mobile number – instead of SGQR – to receive payments. PayNow is an instant funds transfer system that links users’ mobile numbers or NRICs to their bank accounts.

“It’s not difficult to use and the money goes straight to my bank account,” said Sam Tan, a 67-year-old hawker, who owns a fish head food stall at 75 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh.

Thus, the pool of digitized street vendors could be larger than the reported 11,500.

Citing a report, Dr Lee Yen Teik, senior lecturer in finance at NUS Business School, said 87% of small businesses reported improved operations after adopting digital payments, including improved customer loyalty. customer base.

However, he said any transaction fees would eat into street vendors’ already thin profit margins amid current high inflation.

Indeed, Mr Jaleel Sheikdawood, 42, owner of an Indian food stall at the Albert Center Market and Food Centre, said he uses PayNow because it is free, and will abandon payment tools digital if he has to pay transaction fees.

Enterprise Singapore and SG Digital Office said the Hawkers Go Digital grant was introduced to jump-start the adoption of electronic payments.

When asked if the waiver would be extended permanently, they said the government would assess the situation before deciding on the next steps for the program beyond 2025.

Associate Professor Cindy Deng, co-director of the Center for Sustainable Finance Innovation at NTU’s Nanyang Business School, said digitalization helps reduce the risk of theft and improve record-keeping.

But cash still has its place in society, she says. “Cash remains important for older generations today and also serves as a reliable backup during events such as disruptions to digital infrastructure. »